Amber Riley is an American actress, singer, and songwriter known for her powerful vocal performances and acting roles across television, film, and musical theatre. After being cast as Mercedes Jones in the Fox comedy-drama series Glee in 2008, Amber Riley went on to maintain a main cast member role for most of its six-season run from 2009 to 2015. Her acclaimed portrayal of Mercedes garnered a Screen Actors Guild Award and nominations for a Grammy Award, three NAACP Image Awards, and three Teen Choice Awards. Riley’s powerful vocal performances on the show were instrumental in achieving over 200 entries on the Billboard Hot 100.
Demonstrating her range across mediums, she began voicing the iconic character Ursula in Disney Jr.’s animated series Ariel in 2024. Riley is also expanding her role behind the camera as an executive producer for Single Black Female 2: Simone’s Revenge (2024) and Single Black Female 3: The Final Chapter (2025), and is set to star in the upcoming film Savvy Sheldon Feels Good As Hell in 2025.